At EHR-Rx, our focus is on helping practitioners succeed with their choice of electronic health record software and hardware.  This is best accomplished on the front-end by helping them understand the challenges and implications of finding, installing and using a solution that meets their needs and that will deliver on the promise of better patient care for less.

You have questions...we have answers:

Q: My EHR system cost was $20,000.  Am I limited to $20,000 in stimulus refund credits?

A:  Under the Medicare Plan, the requirement to receive the maximum incentive payment of $44,000 per non-hospital based physician is a utilization standard and is not dependent upon the actual cost or purchase method of the EHR system.

Q:  My group has 10 physicians.  Can we qualify for $440,000 of incentive payments?

A:  Yes, if each physician meets the meets the "meaningful use" criteria for certified EHR systems by 2012.

Q:  How will EHR stimulus incentives actually be distributed to physicians?

A:  The timing will be over three years beginning in 2011 and the distribution process will be determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Q:  What happens if I elect to NOT install an EHR system or if I fail to establish "meaningful use"?

A:  Beginning in 2015, your Medicare fee reimbursements will be decreased by 1%, followed by a 2% penalty in 2016, and a 3% penalty in 2016. 

Q: What is the catch?

A:  While the Hitech Act provides $44,000 to $64,000 per qualifying physician, ongoing total cost of ownership has to be considered including annual ongoing software support, hardware obsolescence and upgrades, and incremental training costs for new staff.  However, return on investment cases from a large number of EHR implementations indicate that you should expect an annual return of over $50,000 per physician in reduced costs of operation and increased client revenues.